Squatters Rights??

Squatters can definitely cause havoc in neighborhoods…
However there are some things that can be done to protect
yourself & other properties in your neighborhood.

MSN Real Estate had a great article talking about
the a variety of ways to avoid falling victim to squatting.

Homeowners
1. Keep a list
If your neighborhood has a lot of vacant properties, keep a list of them as well as phone numbers for the real-estate agent or asset manager in charge of them, and local law enforcement contacts. Pass them out to your neighbors, so if anyone sees something suspicious, you can get someone out there to handle it quickly.

2. Catch them in the act
Try to catch squatters in the act of moving in. It's easier to get them out of the house before all the utilities are in their name, police officials say.

3. Organize a neighborhood watch
Most real-estate agents drive by their foreclosure properties regularly to make sure they're not being vandalized. But they mostly do this during the day and in the middle of the week. Squatters typically move in at night or on the weekend. If vacant houses are a problem in your community, sit down with neighbors and schedule times to patrol these properties at night or on weekends and call police if you see suspicious activity. It shouldn't be your responsibility, but ultimately, securing these houses protects your community's real-estate values and safety.

Renters
Some squatters are posing as landlords to lure people into paying them “rent.” Here are five ways to avoid being duped.
1. Do your research
Run an Internet search on the name of the person who's listing the house, as well as his e-mail address, phone number and anything you else you know about him, Woods and Roberts say. Often it can turn up complaints, arrests or other unflattering information about the fake landlord, or it can provide information that contradicts his story.

2. Say cheese
Most scam artists won't want to get their picture taken. So if you are leasing a place, suggest a picture to commemorate the special occasion of you finding a great new place. If they're shady, they'll most likely decline the snapshot, Roberts says.

3. Beware of the cash deal
If a landlord is asking for first and last month's rent in cash or a cashier's check, be a little skeptical, Roberts says. And don't do business with someone you haven't seen who just leaves a key and asks for payment to be wired because he's out of town.

4. Sign papers in an office, not on the hood of a car.
Just about anyone can pass as a landlord or property manager, armed with a set of keys and some boilerplate rental agreements. But it's typically safer to rent a place through a professional property manager, and it doesn't cost the renter any extra, as the owner is the one paying the fees.

5. If the rent is too good to be true, it probably is.
One of the ways con artists are able to entice renters into these vacant properties is with rents that are priced just below the market, police say. A low, low price makes many people willing to move quickly to fork over a deposit and not spend too much time thinking about the landlord.
Then, says Roberts, you become the problem in the community.
"A tenant can pay real money to a bad guy and then be considered a bad guy."

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=15819672&page=3